Kenneth H. Larson

Age 91, of Mendota Heights, MN, passed away at home on December 13, 2023.

Ken was born in Virginia, MN, the oldest of four, and spent his early years growing up in a log cabin built by his father.  He worked for railroad and logging companies before graduating from Orr High School and later attended Dunwoody Institute in Minneapolis.  He enlisted in the Air Force and served honorably as a Staff Sergeant at Forbes Air Force Base in Topeka, KS, where he met his future wife, Rosemary Wiesner.  They married in Ellis, KS, in 1953 and later moved to Minneapolis, where they started Larson Bernina together.  As a team, they successfully ran the company for many years as one of three U.S. importers of the Swiss-made Bernina sewing machine. 

Ken’s interests included keeping in regular contact with relatives and friends (luckily, he had unlimited talk time), buffets (never could pass up a good one), reading the newspaper, journaling daily life, polka music, the Andrews Sisters, and grocery shopping, which led to baking, cooking, and, of course, eating.  He served on the board of the American Historical Society of Germans from Russia and was a founding member of the MN North Star chapter.  He enjoyed time with his family and traveled the U.S. and Europe.  His many trips included the lake, winters in AZ, family visits to KS, and Air Force reunions. 

Ken was preceded in death by his loving wife, Rosemary (Wiesner); father and mother, Harry and Helen (Bayuk) Larson; siblings, Ronald and Dennis; and sister-in-law, Dorothy.

Ken is survived by children, Mike, Bob, Kathy (Dennis) Ferguson, Thomas (Laurie), and Kristin (Frank Sr.) Arth; grandchildren, Michelle (T.J.), Ann (John), Brian, Ryan (MacKenzie), Kelly, Vincent, and Frank Jr.; great-grandchildren, Audrey, Harley, Maxlee, and Clayton; sister, Jeanelle (Gaylon) Lahr; sister-in-law, Joanne Larson; and many nieces and nephews.

Mass of Christian Burial 10:00 AM Tuesday, December 19 at THE CHURCH OF ST. AGNES, 548 Lafond Ave., St. Paul.  Interment Resurrection Cemetery.  Visitation 4 - 8 PM Monday at MUELLER-BIES FUNERAL HOME-ROSEVILLE, 2130 N. Dale St @ County Rd. B and at the church from 9 – 10 AM Tuesday. 

In lieu of flowers, memorials preferred to the Church of St. Agnes, Disabled American Veterans or American Legion.